Improves a procedure to expose surrogate proteins to urban air (especially NO2, O3) to quantify changes in protein nitration ➡️ allergies, etc.
1/🧵
2/ @DaveyRachel1 did a great job of quantifying & improving each step of the #bioanalytical procedure; ozone loss across PM filters, extraction & detection efficiencies, even good old analytical #FiguresOfMerit sensitivity & limit of detection. rdcu.be/cEJN7
3/ Possibly the most broadly useful piece is the data showing ozone loss across several filter types. The HEPA capsule scrubbed >60% of the ozone (bad if you're trying to quantify ozone). Kynar removed only 3%.
Important if using filter to remove PM, while quantifying O3 behind.
4/ Ultimately, the goal is to quantify the amount of protein that is nitrated when exposed to urban air, i.e. from pollen or other suspended bioaerosol. The paper concludes with a brief proof-of-concept showing #nitration of the model BSA protein. More to come later ...
5/ And yes, @DaveyRachel1 will be graduating with her Ph.D. from @DUsciencemath in the not-too-distant future. But just hold your little horses, people that want to hire her as a #postdoc. She'll be a great addition to your team, but not quite yet!
6/ Separately, I thought it was really interesting that the @AnalBioanalChem journal sent a link to their #ShareIt recommendations for how best to amplify using social media. It's broken down for different media avenues & gives ideas for several weeks. springernature.com/gp/see-your-re…
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Clarifies N95s aren't in short supply & can be worn again!
It's still not perfect, but it feels like we're at least inching in the right direction. Some thoughts via a🧵.
2/ New statement that most respirators (i.e. #N95s) "are disposable and should be discarded WHEN they are dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through."
That's *much* better guidance than to toss after a single use!
3/ Also clearly states that:
"Loosely woven cloth products provide the least protection ... and well-fitting NIOSH-approved respirators (including #N95s) offer the highest level of protection."
If you have more experience & credibility than Dr. @brosseau_lisa on topics of industrial hygiene, aerosol science & mask use, etc. - then by all means speak up.
Otherwise, dispense w/ silliness that surgical masks are safer than N95s. Use #BetterMasks.
🔹cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspecti…
3/ Regarding new mask mandates:
“Once you go into a store & you know you’re gonna be there for more than a couple minutes, you’ve got to wear a respirator.”: @brosseau_lisa
Look for NIOSH stamp & a tight fit. "If it has ear loops, it's not a respirator." minnesota.cbslocal.com/2022/01/06/bes…
It's frustrating to see pervasive misunderstanding that N95 masks (respirators) need to be fitted or they are useless. Some of the same people champion surgical masks instead.
Illogical - If N95s don't work unless prof. fitted, how could surgical masks w/ big gaps work better? 1/
2/ The chart & thread here gathered by @akm5376 helps add perspective. Yes, a professionally fitted N95 provides tremendous protection! But even a un-fitted N95 is better than almost anything else, b/c the filtration is great & fit is already good.
3/ This is a nice thread by @claire_horwell on the differences between surgical masks and respirators.
(BTW, Prof. Horwell has been on a tear lately with a great OpEd & a number of great threads - worth following!)
Another good study simulating effects of masks, HEPA cleaners, ventilation in a small meeting room. By NIOSH team incl. Lindsley, et al. mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/1…
🔸 Masks reduced aerosol by 50% +
🔸 Additive further exposure reduction w/ any combo of HEPA, ventilation
Summary 🧵
2/ For reference, this is essentially the same NIOSH team that did some other really nice work on masks and air cleaners:
e.g.:
3/ The experimental team here used one aerosol source (0.3 - 3 microns) and three recipients, in various combinations. They used a relatively small room (54 m3) with 2 ACH on low fan speed in order to simulate a realistic meeting-type room.
"... face masks sign. reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to social distancing. We find a very low risk of inf. when everyone wears a face mask, even if it doesn’t fit perfectly on the face." 1/🧵
2/ The authors perform "upper bound" analyses to get around complexities in modeling risk.
"We conclude that wearing appropriate masks in the community provides excellent protection for others and oneself, and makes social distancing less important." pnas.org/content/118/49…
3/ I especially like this overview schematic comparing FFP2 (~N95) to surgical mask usage based on combos between two people.
Consistent with the old refrain "any mask is better than no mask, but masks with better fit & filtration protect much more."
The #Omicron variant has been found in Colorado, thx to thorough surveillance by @CDPHE.
Omicron cases now detected in three counties in the US. I live in one of them. Seems like a great*time to take both individual & collective responsibility to slow spread. How?
Short 🧵
2/ Don't freak out. It's "not a time for panic, a time for caution." You have some indiv control over your COVID health risk:
✅ Vax + boost yourself & family
✅ Wear a tight-fitting, high-quality mask
When possible:
✅ Avoid crowded areas
✅ Move meetings outside
✅ Open windows
3/ Loads of resources on what high-quality mask to choose & the #COVIDisAirborne safety protocols that you can follow.
A couple example recent threads on #BetterMasks:
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